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Jerard

OPT or J1, what is a better choice?

By Jerard in Student & Exchange Visitor Visas

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Jerard Newbie

Jerard   0

Posted
Filed: Timeline
Posted

Hi all,

I am going to finish my PhD soon (I currently hold an F1 visa), and right after graduation I will start a PostDoc at another University (1 or 2 years).

The new employer asked me if I want to go for an OPT, or be sponsored for a J1 visa.

What is better? What are the differences?

Under the J1 I would not have to pay federal taxes (thanks to a Treaty), but my doubts arise from its lack of flexibility. The J1 is linked to that employer, and my understanding is that if I get the J1 and after 1 year I decide to do something else, I need to find an employer BEFORE quitting otherwise I need to leave the country. With the OPT instead I could extend it of another 17 months (I study science) and spend that extra time to look for a job.

What a dilemma... is there more to it?

Thanks,

Jerard

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canadian_wife Grand Master

canadian_wife   1,791

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

OPT if you ask me

No 2 year home residency requirement for the OPT

Good luck

USCIS
August 12, 2008 - petition sent
August 16, 2008 - NOA-1
February 10, 2009 - NOA-2
178 DAYS FROM NOA-1

NVC
February 13, 2009 - NVC case number assigned
March 12, 2009 - Case Complete
25 DAY TRIP THROUGH NVC

Medical
May 4, 2009

Interview
May, 26, 2009

POE - June 20, 2009 Toronto - Atlanta, GA

Removal of Conditions
Filed - April 14, 2011
Biometrics - June 2, 2011 (early)
Approval - November 9, 2011
209 DAY TRIP TO REMOVE CONDITIONS

Citizenship

April 29, 2013 - NOA1 for petition received

September 10, 2013 Interview - decision could not be made.

April 15, 2014 APPROVED. Wait for oath ceremony

Waited...

September 29, 2015 - sent letter to senator.

October 16, 2015 - US Citizen

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sms78 Enthusiast

sms78   18

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Japan
 Timeline
Posted

Hi all,

I am going to finish my PhD soon (I currently hold an F1 visa), and right after graduation I will start a PostDoc at another University (1 or 2 years).

The new employer asked me if I want to go for an OPT, or be sponsored for a J1 visa.

What is better? What are the differences?

Under the J1 I would not have to pay federal taxes (thanks to a Treaty), but my doubts arise from its lack of flexibility. The J1 is linked to that employer, and my understanding is that if I get the J1 and after 1 year I decide to do something else, I need to find an employer BEFORE quitting otherwise I need to leave the country. With the OPT instead I could extend it of another 17 months (I study science) and spend that extra time to look for a job.

What a dilemma... is there more to it?

Thanks,

Jerard

Isn't your PostDoc program on F-1? How can you have F-1 and J-1 at the same time? Sorry I'm just confused. I don't know how it works... :bonk:

Married May 2011

10/07/2011: NOA1

12/15/2011: NOA2

01/12/2012: NVC case number arrived

01/13/2012: DS-3032 emailed

01/27/2012: Barcode arrived via e-mail

03/06/2012: I-864&DS-230 sent together

03/13/2012: RFE

04/16/2012: Additional documents sent

05/02/2012: NVC case complete

05/14/2012: Medical

06/04/2012: Interview--->approved

06/05/2012: Visa arrived in mail

LAX POE Review

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engineer21 Proficient

engineer21   51

Posted
Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Indonesia
 Timeline
Posted

I vote OPT all the way!!! No need to change status, you can stay on F-1, and you can extend for 17 months due to STEM. Not sure what advantage the J-1 has at all other than the tax treaty thing. Just pales in comparison imo.

AOS 05/08/10 - sent05/14/10 - receipt date on NOAs - transferred to National Benefits Center06/14/10 - Biometrics Done - Lawrence, MA (original appt)07/26/10 - Interview - APPROVED!!07/30/10 - Welcome letter rec'd (notice date: 07/26)08/05/10 - Green Card (&EAD) Received! - 2 months and 28 days total!ROC 04/28/12 - ROC package sent05/03/12 - check cashed05/04/12 - NOA1 received - dated 05/01/1206/07/12 - Biometrics done02/07/13 - Approved (status update via text msg)02/14/13 - Ten year Green card receivedNaturalization07/26/13 - eligible (90 day window opened 4/27/13)02/24/14 - N-400 sent to Dallas03/04/14 - Check cashed & case accepted (update via txt & email)03/10/14 - Biometrics appt letter rec'd (scheduled for 03/28/13)03/28/14 - Biometrics done04/01/14 - In line for interview 04/03/14 - Case status change to scheduled for interview04/10/14 - interview letter rec'd 5/13/14 - interview 6/3/14 - in line for oath 6/30/14 - Scheduled for oath
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